Means for cooling engines and purifying lubricants



June 24, 1930. J F, ow 1,767,675

MEANS FOR C OOLING ENGINES AND PURIFYING LUBRICANTS Filed Feb. 27, 19282 j Z %MN%ZNTOR Patented June 24, 19330 OFFICE JOHN FREDERICK HOWAR'IH,OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

MEANS FOR COOLING ENGINES AND PURIFYING LUBRICANTS Application filedFebruary 27, 1928.

My invention relates to means for, purifying the lubricating oil of anengine, and particularly an internal combustion engine, by removingdiluents therefrom, and at the same time substantially cooling the oiland the engine itself. Incident to the purification of the lubricant,combustible parts of the diluents are conveyed to the engine cylindersand burned, thus realizing the fuel value of the diluents whichotherwise would be lost.

In its broader aspect the invention comprises means for continuouslydrawing air into the engine crank case through a convenient opening suchas the ordinary breather fitting, and removing this air which in itspassage through the crank case takes up vaporous material thereinincluding fractions of the engine fuel which have found their way intothe crank case past the pistons, some fractions of the lubricant, andWater vapor produced by combustion. This vapor laden air hereinaftertermed vapors is taken from a point in the crank 25 case substantiallyremote from the air en trance and conveyed to a condensing chamber inwhich the heavier fractions of the Vapors are condensed, these heavierfractions including portions of the lubricant, and the 3 more volatilefractions are conveyed from the condensing chamber to the engine intakemanifold, in which the low pressure provides the means for producing thecirculation of air and vapor through the crank case and manifold to theengine. The combustible parts of the material removed from the crankcase are thus returned to the engine for burning along with the freshcharge. The condensing chamber preferably includes means automaticallyoperated by variations in the manifold pressure produced by variationsof throttle position or otherwise, to control the flow of air and vaporsand also effect the return at intervals to the crank case of condensatein the condensing chamber. The practically continuous circulation ofcool atmospheric air through the crank case materially reduces thetemperature therein and makes the lubricant more effective.

Serial No. 257,324.

The characteristics and advantages of the invention are furthersufiiciently explained in connection with they following detaildescription of the accompanying drawings, which illustrate onerepresentative embodiment. After considering this example, skilledpersons will understand that many variations may be made Withoutdeparting from the principles involved, and I contemplate the employmentof any structures that are properly within the scope of the appendedclaims.

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a typical motor vehicle engine, with oilpurifying and cooling mechanism embodying the invention in one form,applied thereto;

Fig. 2 is a vertical section of theoil purifying mechanism on line 22 ofFig. 1.

The purifying or condensing apparatus, aside from pipe connectionsandother appurtenances, consists of a condensing chamber 1 having anintake fitting or pipe connection 2 at the bottom and also having a cap3 provided with an outlet fitting or pipe connection. 4. The intakefitting is con! 75 nected by a pipe 5 to a port 6 in the crank case C ofan engine E at a point preferably remote from the breather B whichordinarily provides for movements of air into and from the crank casecaused by piston movements and temperature variations. The outletfitting 4 is connected by a pipe 7 to the engine intake manifold M,preferably at a point above the throttle.

The cap 3 is detachably secured as by screws 8 and also retains inposition the flange 9 of a cylinder 10 having at its midlength anannular channel 11 communicating with a port 12 affording connectionbetween the cylinder and the interior of the condensing chamber 1, undercontrol of a piston 13. The upper end of cylinder 10 communicates withthe discharge connection and a spring 14 urges the piston to its lowerposition as shown. The piston is connected to the upper end of a rod 15which passes through an aperture 16 in the bottom of the cylinder, thisaperture being formed as a valve seat in cooperation with a taperedvalve formation 17 on the rod at pipe 21 are in their lower positions.

only hne of egress from the chamber 1 is .Inthe lower end of the pipeare ports 23 so dimensioned thatwhen the piston is in its lower positionas shown the ports are closed by the wall of the counterbore, and whenthe piston rises substantially the ports establish communication betweenthe lower part of the condensing chamber and the intake fitting 2 forthe return of condensate into the engine crank case through pipe 5.

The lower portion of the piston rod is formed as a stem 24 of reduceddiameter and this may have a conical lower end 25. Substantially at'thetop of the reduced stem portion of the rod, ports 26 are provided inpipe 21 leading to a cylinder chamber 27 about the upper end of thepipe,this chamber being provided by a sleeve 28 fitting the pipe below theports and having its upper end open to produce an annular vapor flowwhich is baffled by the concave lower face of a plate 29 formed as apart of a sleeve 30 secured on the piston rod at the upper end ofpipe18.

' Desirably, and especially for use in starting the engine, a throttlevalve 35 is placed in the outlet fitting, the shaft of this valve havinga lever arm 36 to provide for a link connection (not shown) to a controldevice convenient to the driver.

Under normal operating conditions, that is, say, when the engine isrunning with substantially openethrottle and fair speed under a moderateload, the special throttle 35 in the condensing appliance is maintainedin open position and the degree of pressure in the engine manifold Mwhich, at such time is equivalent to. say from approximately 3" to 11"mercury gauge, produces a flow of atmospheric air through the breather Binto the crank case, where the air takes up from the mistof oilproducedby piston and crank movements, the vaporous parts thereof in cludingfractions of the fuel, some lighter fractlonsof the lubricant, and watervapor, and the vapors thus produced are drawn through pipe 5 and fitting2 and through the interiorof pipe 21. At this time on account of thestated manifold pressure which is insuflicient to overcome the. pressureof spring 14 and the weight of the piston and connectedparts, the pistonwith its rod and The therefore through port 12 to the cylinder above thepiston and so through the outlet fitting and pipe 7 to the enginemanifold. The rate of vapor'flow in the pipe is retarded by stem 24 andthe'vapor flows through ports 26 and upward through the cylinder chamber27 and strikes the curved baiile face 29 and is thus deflected outwardand downward into contact with the inner wall of the chamber, which issufiiciently cooled by contact with exterior or pure air to producecondensation of the heavier fractions of the vapors. The upward air flowalong the wall causes this condensate or liquid to flow slowly downwardto the bottom of the chamber and also produces intimate contact with theliquid of the moving vapors, sufficient for removal of substantially allof the volatiles including the fuel fractions, while the lubricantfractions are condensed and retained temporarily at the 'bottom of thechamber. Finally'the vapors charged with the fuel fractions passes tothe engine manifold for reintroduction into the cylinder. When thevacuum in the engine manifold is substantially increased, as for.

example when the engine is idling with nearly closed throttle, theresulting lower pressure in pipe 7 is sufficient to raise piston 13against the force of its spring, thus establishing communication betweenthe interior of chamber 1- and external or pure air through the passages18 and 19 and the valve opening 16. At the same time port 12 is closedby the piston thus preventing any air flow through the purifying deviceto the engine manifold, or in other Words preventing any undesireddilution of the engine charge under the stated condition of operation.At the same time the lower end of pipe 21 is raised suflicient to permitcon: densate in the bottom of the chamber to re- 23 and pipe 5.

The special throttle 35 is desirably closed when the engine is started,especially if the engine is cold, thus preventlng undesired dilution ofthe engine charge in starting; or, as otherwise stated, preventing anyinterference with the established carbureter action, or effect of thecarbureter choke, etc.

It thusappears that the invention in its preferred form includes meansfor automatic self regulation, thatis the air circulation andpurification of the engine oil is carried on turn to the engine crankcase through ports under all ordinary ornormal operating c0n-.

ditions of the vehicle, and under abnormal conditions as when the engineis idling org starting, the action is interru ted 1n suc manner as toprevent inter erence with proper carburation at such time.

What I claim is: L-Apparatus of the character described comprising acondensing chamber, a-connec- .tion from an intakepart thereof to anengine crank case, and a connection from a discharge part of the casingtothe engine intake manifold, and means for controlling vapor flowthrough the condensing chamber, said means being under control ofpressure in the engine intake manifold.

2. Apparatus of the character described comprising a condensing chamber,a connection from an intake part thereof to an engine crank case, and aconnection from a discharge part of the casing to the engine intakemanifold, and means for controlling vapor flow through the condensingchamber, said means being under control of pressure in the engine intakemanifold, and including a piston subjected at one side to manifoldpressure and at the other side to substantially atmospheric pressure,and valve means controlled by the piston.

3. Apparatus of the character described comprising a condensing chamber,a connection from an intake part thereof to an engine crank case, and aconnection from a discharge part of the casing to the engine intakemanifold, and means for controlling vapor flow through the condensingchamber, said means being under control of pressure in the engine intakemanifold, and including a piston subjected atone side to manifold pressure and at the other side to substantially atmospheric pressure, andvalvemeans controlled by the piston, said valve means serving to openand close communication be tween the chamber and atmosphere.

4. Apparatus of the character described comprising a condensing chamber,a connection from an intake part thereof to an engine crank case, and aconnection from a discharge part of the casing to the engine intakemanifold, and means for controlling vapor flow through the condensingchamber, said means being under control of pressure in the engine intakemanifold, and including a piston subjected at one side to manifoldpressure and at the other side to substantially atmospheric pressure,and valve means controlled by the piston, said valve 'means serving toopen and close communication between the chamber and atmosphere, andalso to control communication between a lower part of the chamber andthe connection leading to the engine crank case.

5. A condensing apparatus for purposes described comprising a chamber,an intake fitting at thebottom thereof adapted to be connected with anengine casing, an outlet fitting at the top of the chamber adapted to beconnected to the manifold of the engine, a cylinder having its upper endcommunicating with the outlet fitting, a port in the cylinder wallaffording communication with the chamber, a piston in the cylinder, apiston rod connected to said piston, a pipe connected to and'movablewith the piston rod and havlng its lower end communicating communicationwith the chamber, a piston in the cylinder, a piston rod connected withthe piston, a pipe connected to and movable with the piston rod andhaving its lower end communicating with the intake fitting, and meansincluding a battle for directing vapors entering through the pipe towardthe chamber walls, the piston also having a valve cooperating with aseat in the lower part of the cylinder, to control communication betweentheinterior of the chamber and atmosphere.

7 .YA condensing apparatus for purposes described comprising a chamber,an intake fitting at the bottom thereof adapted to be connected to thecrank case of an engine, an outlet fitting at the top of the chamberadapted to be connected with the manifold of the engine, a cylinderhaving its upper end communicating with the outlet fitting, a

port in the cylinder wall affording communication with the chamber, apiston in the cylinder, a piston rod connected with the piston,

a pipe connected to and movable with the piston rod and having its lowerend COlHr municating with the intake fitting, and means including abafl'le' for directing vapors from the pipe toward the chamber walls,the

piston rod having a reduced lower end within said pipe.. w 8. Acondensing apparatus for purposes described comprising a chamber, anintake fitting atthe bottom thereof and adapted to be connected withthe'crank case of an en'- gine, an outlet fitting at the top of thechamber and adapted to'be connected with the manifold of the engine,a'cylinder having its upper end communicating with the outlet fitting, aport in the cylinder wall affording. communication with the chamber, apiston in the cylinder, a piston rod connected'with the piston, a pipeconnected toand movable.

with the piston rod and having its lowerend communicating with theintake fitting, and means including a baffle for directing vaporsfromthe pipe toward the chamber walls, the

pipe having ports opposite the upper end of said reduced rod portion,and means about the pipe for directing air issuing from the ports upwardand against the bafie.

9. A condensing apparatus for purposes described comprising a chamber,an intake fitting at the bottom thereof and adapted to be connected withthe crank case of an engine, an outlet fitting at the topof the chamberand adapted to be connected with the manifold of the engine, a cylinderhaving its upper end communicating with the outlet fitting, a port inthe cylinder wall afiording communication with the chamber, a piston inthe cylinder, a piston rod connected with the piston, a pipe connectedto and movable with the piston rod and having its lower endcommunicating with the intake fitting, and means including a baiile fordirecting vapors from the pipe toward the chamber walls, and a springurging the piston to downward position.

10. A condensing apparatus for purposes described comprising a chamber,an intake fitting at the bottom thereof and adapted to be connected tothe crank case of an engine, an outlet fitting at the top of the chamberand adapted to be connected with the manifold of the engine, a cylinderhaving its upper end communicating with the outlet fitting, a port inthe cylinder wall affording communication with the chamber, a piston inthe cylinder, a piston rod connected with the piston, a pipe connectedto and movable with the piston rod and having its lower endcommunicating with the intake fitting, and means including a baffle fordirecting vapors from the pipe toward the chamber walls, and a movablevalve in the outlet fitting to shut off connection between the enginemanifold and the condensing chamber.

Signed at New York city, in the county of New York and State of New Yorkthis 9th day of November A. D. 1927.

- JOHN FREDERICKHOWARTH.

